DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a complex macromolecule that encodes the genetic information necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all forms of life. It functions as the hereditary material in most living organisms, including humans, and is found within the nucleus of cells.
DNA is composed of two long chains of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of the molecule. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine), a sugar molecule called deoxyribose, and a phosphate group. The two chains of nucleotides are twisted around each other to form a double-helix structure, resembling a twisted ladder.
The information within DNA is stored in the sequence of its nitrogenous bases, with adenine always pairing with thymine, and cytosine always pairing with guanine. These base pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds, forming the rungs of the DNA ladder.
DNA replication is the process by which the molecule is copied prior to cell division, ensuring that genetic information is passed on to daughter cells. The sequence of bases in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins, which are essential for the structure and function of cells.
DNA analysis, through techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, has revolutionized fields such as genetics, forensics, and medicine, enabling scientists to study and manipulate genetic information to better understand diseases, identify individuals, and develop targeted treatments.
Common Misspellings for DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
- seoxyribonucleic acid
- xeoxyribonucleic acid
- ceoxyribonucleic acid
- feoxyribonucleic acid
- reoxyribonucleic acid
- eeoxyribonucleic acid
- dwoxyribonucleic acid
- dsoxyribonucleic acid
- ddoxyribonucleic acid
- droxyribonucleic acid
- d4oxyribonucleic acid
- d3oxyribonucleic acid
- deixyribonucleic acid
- dekxyribonucleic acid
- delxyribonucleic acid
- depxyribonucleic acid
- de0xyribonucleic acid
- de9xyribonucleic acid
- deozyribonucleic acid
Etymology of DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
The word "deoxyribonucleic acid" can be broken down into its components to understand its etymology:
1. Deoxy: This prefix comes from the Greek word "deoxy-" which means "lacking oxygen". In the context of DNA, it refers to the absence of one oxygen atom in the ribose sugar.
2. Ribonucleic: This word consists of two main components: ribo- and nucleic.
- Ribo-: This prefix comes from the word "ribose", which is a type of sugar molecule found in RNA. Ribose is derived from the word "ribose" coined by Emil Fischer in 1891.
- Nucleic: This part of the word comes from the term "nucleic acid", which was coined in 1889 by the Swiss biochemist Richard Altmann.
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